Controller



J. R. LANGLEY.

' CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR, 2. I917.

- 1,343,214. Patented June 15, 1920.

WITNESSES INVENTOR Je sse BL wry/ex ATTORNEY NITED STATE P E 'O F E- JESSE R. LANGLEY, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIG-NOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

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' Application filed March 2,

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jnssn R. LANGLEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Wilkinsburg in the county of Allegheny and State of iPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Controllers, of which the following is a specificatio My invention relates to controllers, and it has for its object to provide a simple and efficient arrangement. whereby the operating mechanism may be quickly rendered operative or inoperative at the will of the operator. a a

In the operation of controllers, either of the reversing or non-reversing type, it is often desirable -to open the controlled circuits more quickly than is possible by adjusting the controller to its 01f position. In case the switches of the controller are opened without returning the controller handle to its off position, it is essential that'means be provided whereby the actuation of the controller to its normal position does not effect the closing of the, switches during such return movement. 4

I provide an arrangement that 1s peculiarly adapted for use in connection with controllers embodying cams or similar. devices for actuating the switches. Suitable means are provided for shifting the cam shaft and its connected parts longitudinally into and out of operative relation with the several switch members. The cams are thus shifted into and out of the planeof the corresponding switches. The camshaft may be shifted longitudinally to permit the opening of all of the switches when the controller is in an operative position. The handle may be returned to the off position without disturbing the positions of the switches. The operating mechanism is restored to an operative position before the shaft is rotated during the succeeding starting operation.

The arrangement whereby the cams may be shifted out of the planes of the switching mechanisms may be "employed also in connection with controllers of that type in which the switches are retained in their closed positions by electromagnets or latching mechanisms and are released either manually or-automatically upon the occurrence ofabnormal conditions, The cams may be returned to the off position without ef- Specification of Letters Patent- Patented June 15, 1920- 1917. Serial No. 151,942.

fecting the closing of any of the switches in case the latter are opened from any cause.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view, partially in elevation and par.- tially in section, of a controller constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a view, in transverse section, of a portion of the operating mechanism of the controller shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the switching mechanisms of the controller shown in Fig. 1. Figs. t, 5 and 6 are views of portions of modifications of the controller shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view, in elevation, of the shifting mechanism embodied in the controller shown in Fig. 6. F ig. 8 is a fragmentary view of another modification. Fig. 9 is a view, in section, of the operating mechanism of the controller shown in Fig. 8. Similar reference, numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, .a controller 1 comprises a casing 2 and a vertically extending bar 3 for supporting switches 4. A shaft 5, whichis adapted for longitudinal movement, is provided with a series of cams 6 corresponding in number to the switches 4. v

' The shaft 5 is provided with a reduced portion .7 which extends through a stationary bracket 8 and is engaged by a cylinder 9 of suitable friction material, 'such, for eX- ample, as fiber. The pressure exerted by the member 9 upon the'shaft portion 7 is controlled by an adjusting screw 10. A handle 11, which is rotatably mountedupon the reduced portion 7 of the shaft 5, is provided with a cam portion 12 which coacts with a corresponding cam portion of'the shaft 5. The hub portion of the handle is also provided withan inclined slot 1 1 which coacts with a pin 15 that is secured to the reduced portion 7. A spring 16 tends to retain the shaft 5 and the connected parts in their respective illustrated or inoperative positions.

Reference may now be had to Fig. 3, in

which the details of one of the switching mechanisms 4 are illustrated. A stationary contact member 18, which is mounted upon the supporting bar 3, coacts with a movable contact member 19 that is carried by the pivotally mounted member 20. A spring 21 normally retains the member 20 in its illustrated position in engagement with a stop member 22.

The member 20 is provided with an arm 23 at the outer end of which is mounted a roller 24:. One of the cams 6 is illustrated in such position as to effect the engagement of the contact members 18 and 19 upon a slight rotative movement of the shaft 5. The cam 6 is provided. with an extending portion 25 which may be of such extent as to insure that the switch mechanism is retained in its closed position during any desired portion of the rctative movement of the controller shaft. It will be understood that the cam shown in Fig. 3 is by way of illustration only and that the several cams 6 may differ in construction from that shown and from each other.

It may be assumed that the various parts of the controller assume their several positions in which they are illustrated in Fig. 1. hen the handle 11 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed from the top, Fig. 1, the shaft 5 is yieldingly prevented from rotating by reason of the frictional engagement with the member 9. Movement of the handle 11, relatively to the shaft 5, is permitted by the slot 1a and the pin 15. T 1e shaft 5 is actuated longitudinally by the coacting cam portions 12 and 13. lVhen the several cams 6 are in alinement with the corresponding rollers 2%, the pin 15 connects the shaft 5 to the handle 11 for rotation therewith. The several switches are then closed in order in accordance with the arrangement of the various cams.

When it is desired to open the circuits controlled by the several switches i, it is only necessary to actuate the handle 11 in a counter-clockwise direction through a relatively small angle. The shaft 5 is yieldingly prevented from rotating with the handle 11, and the relative movement of the cam surfaces 12 and 18 permits the spring 16 to shift the shaft 5 longitudinally into its illustrated position in which the cams 6 are out of alinement with the corresponding switch members.

The result is to effect the opening of all of the switches substantially simultaneously. The controller may then be actuated to its 01f position without affecting the positions of the switch members. Upon actuating the controller handle in a clockwise direction for the succeeding starting operation, the steps recited. above are repeated in the same sequence.

A modification of the shaft-operating mechanism is illustrated in Fig. 4. Only a portion of the shaft and certain of the cams are illustrated since the arrangement is otherwise identical with the controller shown in Fig. 1. A shaft 27 is provided, at its upper end, with a member 28 of substantially triangular cross section.

The member 28 is arranged for longitudinal movement relatively to an inclosing member 29, but is connected thereto for rotation therewith. An operating handle 30 is provided, at its inner end, with a wedging member 31 which coacts with the member 28 to effect longitudinal movements of the shaft 27. The handle 30 is keyed to the member 29 for longitudinal movement relatively thereto.

The shaft 27 and the connected parts are illustrated in their respective operative positions. To effect the opening of the switches, it is only necessary to pull the handle 80 outwardly to permit the spring 16 to shift the shaft and the cams 6 to inoperative positions. N hen the controlling mechanism occupies its off position, it is only necessary to actuate the handle 30 inwardly to again shift the shaft 27 to its illustrated position.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 5, a handle 33 is pivotally mounted for movement in a vertical plane to effect the longitudinal movement of a shaft 34. The shaft 84: is slidably keyed to a rotatablemember 35 for longitudinal movement relatively thereto and for rotation therewith. The spring 16 actnates the shaft 34 to its illustrated position upon the release of the handle 33 by the operator.

Referring now to Figs. (3 and 7, a shaft 37 is shifted longitudinally in opposite directions at the respective ends of its path of movement. The shifting mechanism comprises a grooved member 38 which coacts with an arm 39 connected to the shaft 37. When the arm 39, which is shown in section in Fig. 7, reaches the end of its path of movement, a spring 4-0 shifts the controller mechanism to its lower or operative position. The shaft 37 and the cam (3 may then be actuated to the left, as viewed in Fig. T, to CD11)- plete the circuit controlled by it.

Reverse movements may occur without effecting the release of the switches. \Vhen it is desired to open the circuits, it is only necessary to actuate the controller handle d1 beyond its running position, whereupon, a spring 42 shifts the mechanism out of engagement with the switches and thereby permits the latter to open.

The arrangement shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is similar, in principle, to the operating mechanism of Fig. 1, except that means are provided for positively preventing rotative movement of the controller shaft until it has been shifted longitudinally. The shaft H is provided with notches 45 and 46 which coact with a spring-pressed latch 17. The operating handle 48 is provided with a cam portion 49 for coacting with a corresponding cam portion 50 of the shaft 44. The handle 48 is provided with a cam member 51 for controlling the latching mechanism 47.

When the controller handle is actuated in a clockwise direction, as viewed from the top, Fig. 8, rotation of the shaft 44 is prevented by the latch 47. The shaft is shifted longitudinally, however, by reason of the engagement of the cam surfaces 49 and 50. lVhen the controller handle has rotated through such angle as to effect the longitudinal movement of the shaft 44, the member 51 effects the disengagement of the latch 47, and the shaft 44 is rotated.

The shaft 44 may be rotated step-by-step to the full running position, whereupon the notch 45 is engaged by the latch 47. When the handle 48 is rotated in the opposite direction, the member 51 again effects the disengagement of the latching mechanism when the shaft 44 has been shifted to its upper most position.

By means of either of the arrangements described above, all of the switches of a controller may be actuated to their normal p0sitions substantially simultaneously. This action may occur much more quickly than is possible with controllers of the usual and ordinary type in which it is necessary to return the controller handle to its off position.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of coacting switch members, of a rotatable cam for actuating one of said members, and an operating handle, the rotative movement of which is effective to control the shifting of said cam into and out of operative relation to said switch member.

2. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of switch members, of a cam member for actuating one of said switch members, and an operating handle that is operable in a single direction to successively shift said cam into operative relation to said switch member and then to rotate said cam.

3. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of switch members, of a cam member for actuating one of said switch members, and an operating handle that is operable in a single plane to successively shift said cam into operative relation to said switch member and then to rotate said cam.

4. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of switch members, of a cam member for actuating one of said switch mem bers, and means comprising an operating handle that is rotatable to successively actuate said cam axially and to rotate said cam, for causing the axial movement of said cam to precede its rotative movement.

5. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of switch members, a rotatable shaft and cam members carried by said shaft for actuating said switch members, said cam members having a normal position out of operative relation to said switch members, of means comprising a member movable relatively to said shaft for actuating said shaft longitudinally to shift said cam members into operative relation to said switch members. I

6. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of switch members, a rotatable shaft and cam members carried by said shaft for actuating said switch members, of means operable in a single plane for actuating said shaft longitudinally to shift said cam members into operative relation to said switch members, said means comprising a manually operable member, and a spring tending to retain said shaft in a position out of operative relation to said switch members.

7. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of switch members, a rotatable member, and means carried thereby for actuating said'switch members, of a handle member that is rotatable to effect successively the shifting of said first member without rotation into a position in which said actuating means are in operative relation to said switch members and the rotation of said first member.

8. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of'switch members and actuating means therefor comprising a rotatable shaft, of means operable in a plane normal to the axis of said shaft for successively shifting said shaft longitudinally and rotating said shaft to actuate said switch members.

9. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of switch members and actuating means therefor comprising a rotatable shaft and a cam member thereon, of means for successively shifting said shaft longitudinally and rotating said shaft to actuate said switch members, said means comprising a handle movable relatively to said shaft.

10. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of switch members and means comprising a rotatable shaft for controlling said members, of an actuating member for said shaft and means operable upon the movement of said actuating member in a planenormal to the axis of said shaft to successively shift said shaft bodily and rotate said shaft.

11. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of switch members and means comprising a rotatable shaft for controlling said members, of an operating handle for said shaft that is movable relatively thereto, and means operable upon the movement of said handle in one direction normal to the axis ofsaid shaft for shifting the latter bodily out of its normal position and operable, also, upon the movement of the handle in the opposite direction, to shift said shaft bodily into its normal position.

12. In a controller, the combination with a switch member, a rotatable shaft having a projection and means carried by said shaft for actuating said member, of a handle loosely connected to said shaft and having a member for cooperating with said projection to cause longitudinal and iotative movement of said shaft upon the actuation of said handle.

13. In a controller, the combination with a switch member, a rotatable shaft having a projection and means carried by said shaft for actuating said member, of a handle loosely connected to said shaft and having a member for coopeii'ating with said projection to cause longitudinal and rotative move 10 ment of said shaft upon the actuation of said handle and means for preventing said rotative movement until after said longitudinal movement.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto 15 subscribed my name this 24th day of Feb, 191

JESSE R. LANGLEY. 

